Rodriguez wants out as envoy-designate

Former Immigration Commissioner Rufus Rodriguez has asked President Arroyo not to resubmit his name to the Commission on Appointments after his appointment as ambassador to Germany was bypassed twice by the bicameral body.

The President had previously stated that she would reappoint all nominees who were bypassed by the CA, but Rodriguez asked her to strike him out of those to be reappointed.

Rodriguez cited delicadeza as the main reason for asking for the withdrawal of his nomination.

Sen. Ralph Recto blocked the endorsement of Rodriguez’s nomination, saying he had some questions to ask about the opposition of some BI employees to Rodriguez’s confirmation.

Rodriguez said that he would now go back to law practice and to teaching law at San Sebastian College, where he was once a law dean.

"I have been in government service for a long time. It is now time to go back to active law practice and devote more time to my family," he said.

He served as lawyer of the Partido ng Masang Pilipino during the last elections, and as chief of staff of Sen. Loi Estrada Ejercito after the elections.

In a related development, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said Cabinet members who were repeatedly bypassed by the CA should take the cue from Rodriguez.

Pimentel said he takes his hat off to Rodriguez for his sense of propriety and decency by telling the President not to reappoint him anymore and, therefore, spare her another problem.

He said that this has put pressure on Cabinet members who have been bypassed a number of times by the CA to give up their posts voluntarily. — Efren Danao